The poor potato harvest in Yanggang Province has left many retirees without government distributions of potatoes, Daily NK has learned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile potato handouts began in Hyesan on Oct. 10, none of the rations are going to the families of pensioners,\u201d a source in Yanggang Province told Daily NK on Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n Traditionally, local district offices in the province have given potato rations to pensioners\u2019 families every fall. Each family received an average of 200-300 kilograms of potatoes, though they tended to be smaller than those allocated for distribution at workplaces or those on sale in local markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The amount of potatoes distributed to retirees has gradually decreased as the potato crop has shrunk each year. Last year, families received just 70 kilograms of potatoes. This year, the potato distributions to retirees have stopped altogether, the source said.<\/p>\n NO MORE POTATOES<\/strong><\/p>\n Potato rations are extremely important for residents of Yanggang Province. When families run out of grain, they can still use potatoes to prepare noodles or cakes. For that reason, pensioners\u2019 families really look forward to the potato rations in the fall, the source said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n